/c/// 




DOCUMENTS RELATING TO 
THE CAREER OF COL. ISAAC FRANKS. 



Prof. MORRIS JASTROW, Jr. 

University of Pennsylvania, Phila. 



From the Pubucations of the American Jewish Historical 
Society, No. 5, 1896. 



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PORTRAIT OF IS*AC FRANKS, PAINTED BY GILBERT STUART IN 1802. 

GIBSON COLLECTION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF 

FINE ARTS, PHILADELPHIA. REPRODUCED BY 

PERMISSION OF THE ACADEMY. 



DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE CAREER OF 
COLONEL ISAAC FRANKS. 

By Professor Morris Jastrow, Jr., University of Pennsylvania, 
Philadelphia. 

Some time ago, the Council of this Society learned through 
its president, the Hon. Oscar S. Straus, of the existence of 
papers relating to the career of Isaac Franks. These papers 
were at the time in the possession of George W. Huffnagle, 
of New Hope, Bucks Co., Pa., a grandson of Isaac Franks.* 
By resolution of the Council, the writer was deputed to com- 
municate with Mr. Huffnagle, with a view of examining and, 
if possible, of obtaining copies of these papers for the purpose 
of issuing them in the Publications of our Society. 

Mr. Hufinagle, in response to a letter, forwarded copies of 
some of the papers in his possession, and declared his willing- 
ness to lay the remainder before me at some future time. 
Illness prevented Mr. Huffnagle from making an appoint- 
ment for a visit which I was anxious to pay him, and last 
winter Mr. Huffnagle died. His son, the Rev. John C. 
Huffnagle, residing in Imlaystown, N. J., most generously 
offered to place at our disposal all documents in his posses- 
sion that might be of any use, and as the result of a visit 
paid to Mr. Huffnagle, I am privileged to lay before you a 
number of documents — in all 33 — which enable us to follow, 
in somewhat greater detail than was heretofore possible, the 
career of one who served the cause of American independence 
most honorably and for this reason deserves to be remem- 
bered. The thanks of our Society are eminently due to the 
Rev. Mr. Huffuagle, for his kindness in permitting me to take 

* The daughter of Colonel Isaac Franks, Miss Sarah Eliza Franks, 
was married to John Huffnagle, of Lancaster, on Sept. 9, 1806. 



Atu-. ^ift 






8 American Jewish Historical Society. 

whatever papers I desirtd with me and to have copies of 
them made. 

The documents may be divided into seven classes : 

(1) Illustrating the Revolutionary career of Colonel 
Franks. 

(2) Referring to a claim made by him against the United 
States in 1812, for an error in his favor, in his accounts 
as Forage Master of the garrison of West Point, — a posi- 
tion held by him from the 1st of January, 1778, to the 5th 
of September, 1781. 

(3) Applications for appointment to office under the 
United States Government, 1812-1813. 

(4) Commissions from Thomas Mifflin, Governor of Penn- 
sylvania, («) as a Notary and Tabellion Public, 1789 ; (6) as 
Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment of Philadelphia, 
1794; (c) as Justice of the Peace in the county of Phila- 
delphia, 1795. 

(5) Papers relating to the renting of Colonel Franks' 
house in Germantown to President Washington, 1793. 

(6) Applications for a pension from the United States 
Government, 1818-1819, and certificate of pension. 

(7) Miscellaneous documents, bearing on his relations to 
his children, biographical notices and the like. 

The documents in the first six classes formed part of 
Colonel Franks' own papers ; those in the seventh class 
emanate only in part from him, a number having been 
collected by his grandson, George W. Huifnagle. Among 
the latter is a biographical notice, copied from an unknown 
source, which gives an epitome of his career : 

" Isaac Franks, son of Moses and Sarah Franks, was born 
at the city of New York on the 27th of May, 1759. He 
embarked in the Revolutionary contest of 1776 between the 
colonies and the kingdom of Great Britain, and served 
under Washington with the reputation of a gallant, brave 
and useful officer during the whole of the American Revo- 
lution, during which he received several wounds. After the 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 9 

peace of 1783 he filled various civil commissions, and was 
the intimate friend and companion of Washington, who, with 
his family, spent the summers of 1793 and 1794 with Colonel 
Franks* at his residence ... in Germantown. Colonel Franks 
died on the 4th of March, 1822, of a pulmonary complaint, 
being at the time Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of 
Philadelphia." \_sic .'] 

In connection with an application for a government 
pension, made in 1818 (Appendix No. 9), which was rendered 
necessary by his straitened circumstances. Colonel Franks 
drew up a statement of his services during the war of 
Independence. A draft of this statement and several 
copies of the statement itself, formally drawn up and cer- 
ified to, are among the documents that have come into 
our possession. From this statement we learn that he 
entered upon his military career in May or June, 1776, at 
the early age, therefore, of seventeen. He joined Colonel 
Lesher's regiment as a volunteer in the city of New York, 
from which we may conclude that the city of his birth con- 
tinued to be his residence and that of his parents, until this 
period. He took part in the battle of Long Island, being, as he 
says, " in the heat of the battle," and under the immediate 
command of General Washington. He equipped himself at 
his own expense, and tells us "'that in July of that year, in 
parade order, attended the first communication of the Declara- 
tion of Independence, which was read to the troops, when we 
all, as with one voice, declared that we would support and 
defend the same with our lives and our fortunes." 

In the year 1777, he joined the Quartermaster's Depart- 
ment in the Continental village, a few miles above Peeks- 
kill in the State of New York, as an Assistant Forage 
Master. In 1778 he became Forage Master, and was 
stationed at West Point till 1781, when he entered as an 
Ensign into the service of the 7th Massachusetts Regiment, 

* Inaccurate. See below. "Washington rented the house from 
Franks in the winter of 1793-94. 



10 American Jewish Historical Society. 

then stationed in the garrison of West Point. His certificate 
of appointment is preserved (Appendix No. 1). It is dated 
Boston, February 22, 1781, " in the fifth year of the indepen- 
dence of the United States of America," and is signed by 
John Hancock and by the latter's secretary, John Avery. 
The formal commission itself was not received till March 
12, 1782, but his appointment and rank began on January 
1, 1781, and continued till June, 1782, when on account of 
ill health he was forced to resign. He took this step with 
the approbation of the Commander-in-chief. 

From another statement, signed by Isaac Franks, we obtain 
some details of his career in Colonel Lesher's regiment. 
The regiment was annexed to the army of the United States 
under the command of General Washington. After the battle 
of Long Island, Franks retreated with the army to New York, 
and was on the detached guard at the Fly Market on the 
East river, at the time that the English took possession of the 
city, September 15, 1776. Franks was taken prisoner, but 
after nearly three months of confinement succeeded in 
making his escape. " In a small, leaky skift," he tells us, 
" with one single paddle," he crossed to the Jersey shore. 

After receiving his " furlough," as he calls it, in June, 
1782, from Major-General Alexander McDougal, the com- 
mander of West Point and its dependencies, he visited his 
friends, and was in the city of Philadelphia when the news of 
peace arrived.* 

On the 9th of July, 1782, he was married in Philadelphia 
to Mary, the daughter of Captain Samuel Davison. Four 
children were born to the couple. Two died at an early age. 
One, a son, Samuel D. Franks, became Judge of the Court of 
Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas for the counties of 

*A memorandum on the back of a copy of Colonel Franks' com- 
mission as Ensign, and also on a draft of one of his statements, 
reads, "The Preliminaries of Peace were signed at Parris [sic] on the 
30th of November, 1782, and the ratification of the Definitive Treaty 
were [sic] exchanged in May, 1784." 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franhs — Jastrow. 1 1 

Schuylkill, Lebanon and Dauphin, and his daughter, Sara 
Eliza, married Peter Huffnagle of Philadelphia. 

After his marriage, Mr. Franks took up his permanent 
residence in Germantown, where he purchased a dwelling 
house (now No. 5442 Main street) which is still standing 
(Appendix No. 14). For a number of years we lose sight 
of him. In the beginning of 1789 he was appointed by 
Governor Mifflin of Pennsylvania "a Notary and Tabellion 
Public" for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Appendix 
No. 3). It was presumably from the fees attaching to this 
office, that he derived an income which supported him and 
his family. At all events for about twenty-five years after 
the close of his military career, he appears to have been 
in a prosperous condition. In 1784 we find him associ- 
ated with Benjamin Rush in the purchase of" 19 tracts" of 
land in Westmoreland Co. (now Indiana), and he continued 
to hold these lands as late as 1804. 

In 1794 he was honored by Governor Mifflin with an 
appointment as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment 
of Philadelphia County Brigade of the Militia of the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania. It is through this appointment that 
he became generally known as Colonel Franks (Appendix 
No. 4). 

In 1795 he received another appointment at the hands of 
the same Governor Mifflin, this time to the office of "Justice 
of the Peace in the District consisting of the Townships of 
Germantown and Roxborough in the county of Philadel- 
phia" (Appendix No. 5). But previous to this, he must 
have engaged in some undertaking that led him to Bethle- 
hem, for in the winter of 1793 we find him setting out from 
that place for a short visit to his Germantown residence. 
The occasion of the visit was a note received from President 
Washington, who desired to rent the house during the prev- 
alence of yellow fever in Philadelphia when, as is well 
known, the seat of the United States Government was 
removed to Germantown. On November 6, Mr. Franks 



12 American Jewish Historical Society. 

sets out with his wife from Bethlehem, in order to put his 
house in order. The negotiations are completed and, in 
December of the same year, Franks pays another visit to 
Germantown, in order to ascertain how long the President 
intends to occupy the house. Among our documents are 
two copies of the bill ]Mr. Franks presented to Washington 
for two months' rental and sundry expenses (Appendix 
No. 13). The owner is careful not to omit any item, and 
some of the charges are exceedingly curious. Whatever 
may have led Franks to Bethlehem — perhaps the prevalence 
of the plague in Philadelphia — he returned to Germantown 
and appears to have stayed there until early in this century. 
Then for some reasons unknown to us, he removed to 
Ephrata, Lancaster County. 

In October, 1802, we still find him at Germantown. At 
that period Gilbert Stuart finished an oil painting of Mr. 
Franks, which was presented to the latter by the artist.* There 
are bills paid to Mr. J. Rowan of Philadelphia for tuition for 
Mr. Franks' daughter, dated December 15, 1802, and March 
15, 1803. Between the latter date and 1806 the removal to 
Ephrata takes place. He evidently regards Ephrata as his 
permanent residence, for in a letter, dated May 8, 1806, 
addressed to his daughter, who was attending a school kept 
by Mr. and Mrs. Rowan in Philadelphia, he speaks of the 
time when his daughter will come to reside with him. In 
the fall of that year, his daughter was married at Lancaster. 
We find Franks at Ephrata as late as 1812. Things have 

*The painting is referred to by Franks in a memorandum pre- 
pared by him for his children. It was left conjointly to Samuel 
and Sara, each one by turns to have the right of possessing it for 
one year. The picture was sold by G. W. HufEnagle to the late 
Henry C. Gibson of Philadelphia. By the will of the latter, it 
has come into the possession of the Philadelphia Academy of Fine 
Arts. On the back there was pasted a slip reading, "Portrait of 
^Ir. Isaac Franks. Presented to friend Isaac Franks as a token of 
regard by Gilbert Stuart. Germantown, Oct. 1st, 1802." This slip 
has been framed by the Academy and attached to the portrait. 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jasirow. 13 

not gone well with him. He appears to be in straitened 
circuiustanees and takes various steps to secure an income. 
In December, 1811, he puts in a claim against the United 
States for an "erroneous credit" which he inadvertently 
gave the United States while serving as Forage Master 
at West Point. His claim is for |463.12, which with 
interest up to the date of his claim brings the sum up to 
almost $1,400. He bases his claim upon the fact that he 
gave receipts for his pay as Forage Master during his term 
of service (13 months and 2 days) without first liquidating 
the same by the scale of depreciation, established by Con- 
gress on January 2, 1780, and by which all the payments to 
the army from September 1, 1777, to March 18, 1780, 
were liquidated and settled (see Appendix No. 6). 

He makes strenuous efforts to secure this claim. First, 
he applies to the Treasurer of the State of Massachusetts, 
Jonathan L. Austin, who tells him that if his commission as 
Ensign in the Seventh Regiment was dated after December, 
1780, his pay must come from the United States. On 
December 11, 1811, he sends a formal statement of his claim 
to Jonathan Burrell, Commissioner for the Quartermaster's 
Department at New York. In January, 1813, on the occa- 
sion of a visit to Philadelphia, he M-rites to Charles Jared 
Ingersoll, representative in Congress, in support of his claim 
(Appendix No. 7), and refers to the fact that "a memorial and 
vouchers " in his behalf " had been put into the hands of Mr. 
Hyneman, then a representative in Congress." Owing to Mr. 
Hyneman's resignation of his seat, the papers were not pre- 
sented, but placed in the hands of Jonathan Roberts, a repre- 
sentative in Congress from Pennsylvania. On March 4, 
1812, he writes to the U. S. Comptroller, Richard Rush, 
at Washington (Appendix No. 8), who in reply (March 
30) sends a copy of Isaac Franks' account to show that 
the "erroneous item was included and properly settled 
in that account." Richard Rush in a supplementary note 
expresses his regard for Mr. Franks and regrets that he 



14 American Jewish Historical Society. 

caunot serve him. About this time, feeling that the 
hopes of securing his claim are slight (although he sends 
a reply to Rush's note), Franks makes application for some 
appointment in the Quartermaster's Department. He writes 
to Colonel Clement Biddle, of Philadelphia, under date of 
March 17, 1812, asking for a certificate. The request is 
granted, but Franks is not successful in his endeavors. A 
year later — May 10, 1813 — he applies to Richard Rush for a 
position in the Comptroller's Office. In his application he 
refers to his " sincere friend, the celebrated Dr. Rush," and 
offers his condolence to the son upon the death of his father. 
In a postscript, he also takes the opportunity of inquiring 
whether anything has occurred favorable to his " equitable 
claim against the Treasury." In this quest, too, he is unsuc- 
cessful, and when next we hear of him, in 1818, he has 
moved back to Philadelphia and is making an effort, by 
" reason of his reduced circumstances," to secure a pension 
from the United States government. His papers are drawn 
up and certified to on April 8, 1818, by Joseph B. McKean, 
Judge of the District Court for the city of Philadelphia 
(Appendix Nos. 9 and 10). Mr. Jonathan Roberts, at the 
time a member of the Senate for Pennsylvania, is appealed 
to on December 15th of the same year to take (Appendix 
Nos. 11 and 12) the claim for a pension " under his patron- 
age." The interval of eight months between the drawing 
up of the papers and their being placed in the hands of Mr. 
Roberts is due to the fact that Congress adjourned in April 
and Mr. Franks did not wish to trouble Mr. Roberts " late 
in the session." Mr. Roberts takes the matter up. A note 
from the Pension Office dated June 22, 1819, and addressed 
to Mr. Roberts, states that the application will be granted 
"when proof of his (Mr. Franks') being in reduced circum- 
stances shall be attached to his declaration." 

On the 14th of December, 1819, the pension certificate 
was forwarded to Mr. Franks (Appendix No. 2). The 
pension was fixed at $20 per month, to commence from 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 15 

the date that his papers were drawn up, April 8, 1818. 
Isaac Franks eujoyed his pension for only four years. In 
1819 (Feb. 18)* he was appointed Prothonotary of the 
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and it is a comfort to know 
that his closing years were thus rendered free from care. 
He died on Monday, March 4, 1822, at the age of sixty- 
three, and was buried from his residence, No. 55 Clierry 
street, on March 6.t 

Appendix. 

A selection from the documents illustrating the career of 
Isaac Franks is herewith published.^ The publication 
includes fourteen documents as follows: 

I. Five certificates: (1) as Ensign in the Seventh Regi- 
ment of Massachusetts ; (2) pension certificate ; (3) as notary 
and tabellion public ; (4) as lieutenant-colonel ; (5) as justice 
of the peace. 

II. Franks' claim against the United States : (6) memo- 
randum and copy of account; (7) letter to Charles Jared 
Ingersoll. 

III. Application for office : (8) letter to Richard Rush. 

IV. Application for pension : (9) statement of military 
career; (10) statement made before Joseph B.McKean; (11) 
letter to Hon. Jonathan Roberts, December 15, 1818; (12) 
letter to the same, February 22, 1819. 

V. Germantown residence : (13) copy of bill presented to 
President Washington; (14) statement regarding the history 
of the property. 

The remainder of the documents have been copied and 
deposited in the office of the Secretary of the American Jevv- 
ish Historical Society at Washington. 

* Martin, Bench and Bar of Philadelphia, p. 26. 

fSee Poulson's Daily American Advertiser, for March 5, 1822. 
Martin gives the date of Franks' death erroneously as March 3. 

tThe spelling of the originals is retained, only obvious slips being 
corrected. 



16 American Jewish Historical Society. 



(1) 
Certificate of Colonel Isaac Franks' Commission as 
Ensig-n in the 7th Regiment of the Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts, 1781. 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 

To Isaac Franks — Gentleman Greeting, — Reposing espe- 
cial Trust and Confidence in your ability Courage and good 
Conduct, I Do by these presents Constitute and appoint you 
the said Isaac Franks to be an Ensign in the seventh Regi- 
ment of Foot — one of the Battalions raised by this Common- 
wealth to serve in the Continental Army, where John Brooks 
Esqr. is Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, — You are there- 
fore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of an Ensign 
in said Regiment in all things appertaining thereto, observing 
such Orders and Instructions as you shall receive from the 
Commandant of said Regiment or any other Your Superior 
Officers, for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant till 
you shall receive a Commission in manner and form pointed 
out by the Resolves of Congress of March 8th and June 28th, 
1779. — Dated at Boston this twenty-second of February one 
thousand seven hundred and eighty one, in the fifth year of 
the Independence of the United States of America. 
By His Excellency's command, 

John Hancock. 

John Avery, Secy. 

(2) 
Pension Certificate. 

War Department. 

Revolutionary Claim. 

I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United 
States, of the 18 th March 1818, Isaac Franks, Late an 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 17 

Ensign in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on 
the Pension List Roll of the Pennsylvania Agency, at the 
rate of twenty dollars per month, to commence on the Eighth 
day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen. 

Given at the War office of the United States, this four- 
teenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and 
nineteen. 

C. Vanderventer, Acting Secretary of War. 

On the back of this certificate: 

[Seal of the Payable semi-annually. The first pay- 

United States ment on this Certificate will be made on the 
War Office.] 4th of March next, in Philadelphia, at the 
Bank of the United States. 

(3) 
Commission as Notary and Tabellion Public. 

[Seal Thomas Mifflin. 

of the State In the Name and by the Authority of 

of Pennsylvania.] the Freemen of the Commonwealth of 

Pennsylvania. 
The Supreme Executive Council, of the said Commonwealth. 

To Isaac Franks, Esquire, of the Oity of Philadel])hia — 
[Coat o^ Arms We, reposing especial Trust and Confi- 
of dence in your Prudence, Integrity and 

Pennsylvania.] Abilities, have appointed you the said 
Isaac Franks a Notary and Tabellion public in and for the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. You are therefore by these 
presents commissioned to be a Notary and Tabellion Public 
in and for the said Commonwealth — to have and hold the 
said office of Notary and Tabellion Public — With all the 
Rights, powers, and emoluments to said office belonging, or 
by Law in any Wise appertaining, until this Commission 
shall be legally revoked. 



18 Ame7'ican Jeioish Historical Society. 

Given in Council, under the Hand of His Excellency 
Thomas Mifflin, Esquire — President, and the Seal of the 
State at Philadelphia, this seventh Day of February in the 
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
nine. Attest : Cha^. Biddle, Sec^. 

[Enrollment Inrolled in the Rolls office of the State 

Office of of Pennsylvania In Commission Book No. 1, 
Pennsylvania page 224, &c. "Witness my hand and Seal of 
Seal.] office the 10th February, 1789. 

Math^^. Ir^vin, 31. R. 

(4) 
Commission as Lieutenant Colonel. 

Pennsylvania. 

In the Name, and by the Authority of the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, 

Thomas Mifflin, 

Governor of the said Commonwealth, 
To Isaac Franks of the County of Philadelphia Greeting: 

Know That you, the said Isaac Franks 
[Coat of Arras (being duly elected and returned) are hereby 
of Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 

Pennsylvania.] Second Regiment of Philadelphia County 
Tho. Mifflin. Brigade of the Militia of the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania. To have and to 
hold this Commission exercising all the powers, and discharg- 
ing all the duties thereto lawfully belonging and attached, 
for the term of seven years. 

In Testimony whereof, I have set my Hand and caused the 
great Seal of the said State to be affixed to these Presents, at 
Philadelphia the Fifteenth Day of July in the Year of our 
Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-four and 
of the Commonwealth the Nineteenth. 

By the Governor. A. I. Dallas, Sec. 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 19 

(5) 
Commission as Justice of the Peace. 

Pennsylvania. 

In the Name, and by the Authority of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, 
Thomas Mifflin, 

Governor of the said Commonwealth. 
To Isaac Franks of the County of Philadelphia Esq. 

Sends Greeting : 
[Coat of Arms Know You, That reposing especial 

of Trust and Confidence in your Integrity, 

Pennsylvania.] Judgment, and Abilities, I the said Thomas 
Tho. Mifflin. Mifflin, have appointed and by these 
Presents, do appoint and commission you, 
the said Isaac Franks to be a Justice of the Peace, in the 
District consisting of the Townships of Germantown and 
Roxborough in the county of Philadelphia Hereby giving 
and granting unto you, full Right and Title, to have and exe- 
cute all and singular the Powers, Jurisdictions and Author- 
ities, and to receive and enjoy, all and singular, the lawful 
Emoluments of a Justice of the Peace aforesaid, agreeably 
to the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth. To 
have and to hold this Commission, and the Office hereby 
granted unto you the said Isaac Franks, so long as you shall 
behave yourself well. 

Given under my Hand, and the Seal of the State, at Phil- 
adelphia this twenty-fifth Day of September in the year of our 
Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-five and of 
the Commonwealth the twentieth. 

By the Governor. James Trimble, Deputy Sec. 



20 American Jewish Historical Society. 

II. 

(6) 

Memorandum of Claim against the United States 

Government. 

Ephrata, Lancaster County, Dec''. 12, 1811. 

In looking over my old Military papers this day, I have 

discovered an Erroneous credit which I have inadvertently 

given to the United States in my exhibited account, against 

myself, of which the enclosed is a copy. 

Viz. "To the first item on the Credit side of my account I 

" have inadvertently given to the U. S. credit for 520 

"dollars |4 Continental Money (as specie) which I 

" received of Col. Bostwick for Pay as Forage Master 

" from the 1 Jan^. 1778 to the 2 feb^. 1779. 13 months & 

" 2 days at $40 p'^ mo. Without first Liquidateing the 

" same by the scale of Depreciation, established by 

" Congress on the 2^ June 1780, and by which all the 

"payments to the Army from the 1^' Septem'" 1777 to 

" the 18*'' March 1780 were Liquidated and Settled. 

My Pay for said item of Service to which said 
erroneous Credit is annexed, viz. from the 1** 
Jan^ 1778 to the 2*^ feb^ 1779, 13 months and 
2 days at $40 p' month is $522..67 

The said 520 dollars f|^ Continental Money By the 
scale of Depreciation on the 2 feb^' 1779 at ll|-j 
<^ for 100 dollars is 59..55 

Balance due I. F $463.. 12 

with Interest from 1779* 

* Amount due is fixed at $469.16 {sic !). In another copy, interest is 
calculated till January, 1812, at $924, making a total sum of $1393 16. 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 21 

[Copy.] 

The United States in Account with Isaac Franks. 

D^ 

To my services as Forage Master of the Garrison of AVest 

Point from the first January 1778 to the fifth September 

1781, both days included is 44 Months and 5 days at 

40Dr8 per month 1766-60 

1779. By Pay from CoP Andrew Bostwicke from dollars. 
the first Jany. 1778 to the 1^ feby 1779 13 months 
& 2 days 520-60 

Sep' 12, 1779. By Cash on acct. from Col° Clement 
Biddle C. G. Forage = 1000 dollars Con- 
tinental Money Equal to 53y2^ 53..22 

By Merchandize from Daniel Carthy A. D. Q. M. G. 

am*^ to X4..2. N. York Money 10..22 

BalP due by the U. S. to Is. Franks 1182..56 

1766..60 

Errors Excepted. 

Philad% Jany 18, 1788. Isaac Franks. 

(7) 
Letter to Charles Jared Ingersoll. 

Philadelphia, Jan 24th, 1813. 
The Honorable Charles Jared Ingersoll Esq. 

Sir. 

At the time I did myself the honor to state to you my 
claim on the U. S. I was not informed that a Memorial & 
Vouchers in my behalf had been put into the hands of Mr. 
Hyneman, then a Representative in Congress, who, in con- 
sequence of his intention to resign his seat did not present 
them, & on his departure put the same into the hands of 
Jonathan Roberts, Esq., a Representative in Congress. 



22 American Jewish Historical Society. 

As I have not heard that Mr. Roberts has acted on the 
same, I take the liberty, Sir, in consequence of your polite 
oifer to present my Memorial, to address myself to you, to 
entreat your patronage, and solicit the favor of you to confer 
with Mr. Roberts on the subject of my Memorial, so that it 
be presented. 

The object Sir, of my Memorial is, to rectify an error, 
made in the settlement of my Acct. by the Commissioner & 
overlooked by myself. 

The Error is, that I gave credit for 520 dollars ^^^ 
received as for my pay from the first of January 1778 to the 
2°*^ of Feb. 1779, whereas that sum being paid me in Conti- 
nental paper Money, should have been reduced by the Scale 
of Depreciation, to its specie value, which was but |59.55 
making an error in my favor of $463. 1 2. 

It appears by the settlement made out by Mr. Burrell, the 
Commissioner, that he sliped over the Item to which the 
erroneous credit is annexed, and thecredit with it ; and in place 
of commencing his settlement of my account from the 1®* Jan. 
1778, the day on which my services as F. M. commenced at 
West Point, he, together with the Commissioner's settlement, 
dates his partial settlement only from the 2°^^ Feby. 79, by 
which artifice the $520f| was suffered to stand without being 
reduced by the Scale of Depreciation, as in full for my pay 
from the 1^' Jany. '78 to the 2°<i Feby. '79, in the manner I 
inadvertently gave credit for it. But it is evident, although 
it was nominally so, yet that I was entitled to depreciation 
having been in service after the 10 April 1780, even in the 
Department where the Account originated, having continued 
in that Dept. to Sept. 1781, and afterwards went into the line 
of the army by Commission, and continued in the service of 
my country to the end of the war. My impression is, that 
in Equity, I am entitled to the full benefit of my services and 
ought to receive the amount of $463yV"Tr with interest from 
the 2°"^ of Feby. 1779, and that the Acts of limitation can- 
not affect a claim of this kind. 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 23 

I submit the subject to your good judgment, and rely upon 
that equal Justice which the Representatives of the nation 
may have in their Power to dispense. 
I am, Sir, 

with due respect 

Your very obedient servant 

L F. 
P. S. Sir. 

The Erroneous credit to which I alude is annexed to the 
first item on the credit side of my Exhibited Account signed 
by me and affixed by the Court Genl. & presented the lO^*" 
Jany. 1788, to Jonathan Burrell, then Commissioner for the 
settlement of the accounts of the Quarter Master's Depart- 
ment, & on file in the Office of the Auditor General of the 
U. S. together with the partial settlement made by the 
Commr dated the 30*^^ Jany 1788, to which I beg leave to 
refer & I trust will establish my claim. 

III. 

(8) 
Application for Office. Letter to Richard Rush. 

[Copy.] 

Ephrata near Lancaster May 10*'' 1813 
Richard Rush Esquire 

Sir. The great loss of my sincere friend, The Celebrated 
Dr. Rush, the patron of Beneficence, distresses me much. I 
trust, Sir, that I may deserve from you that friendship that I 
always experienced from your good father for the last Thirty 
three years. 

Grieve not at the inevitable moment that separated Him 
from us. He is happy. May your own end be equally Pro- 
pitious, and may you when full of years and full of honor, 
sink down as gently to rest — beloved as sincerely as your 
happy Father. 



24 American Javish Historical Society. 

The last time I was in Philadelpliia iu company with 
your Father, at his house, I suggested the Idea, that I should 
like to obtain some imployment [sic] in one of the Public 
Departments of the U. S. My intimation met his approba- 
tion, and He set down at his writeing table, and gave to me 
unsolicited, a general recommendation. Here said He, 
receive this with my best wishes for your success — I have 
never made any application to any Gentleman but yourself, 
nor never shown or made any use of the valuable recom- 
mendation before this opportunity. I now take the liberty 
to enclose a Copy, and earnestly solicit an appointment in 
your Department, or your kind Patronage to obtain some 
situation for me. I am encouraged Sir, to make my applica- 
tion to you, because you are the son of my dear deceased 
Friend, and to whom can a revolutionary officer (I entered 
the service of my country at the age of sixteen in the year 
1776, and continued in the service of my country to the 
end of the war) apply with more propriety than to you Sir, 
the son of that great Patriot who bore so distinguished a 
part in the Congress of 1776 and through all the dangers 
of the American revolution. 

Should you favor me with your attention, you will make 
me happy, and confer a lasting obligation upon. Sir, 
Your most obedient 

Servant 

Isaac Franks. 

P. S. Allow me, Sir, to avail myself of this opportunity 
to inquire, If any circumstance has occured to you, favorable 
to my equitable claim on the Treasury, to have the erroneous 
item of credit which I inadvertently gave to the U. S. against 
myself in my exhibited account rectified, so that I may 
thereby receive the ballance of that item so justly due to me 
for my pay for those toilsome services as Forage Master, 
(for which I only received in value according to the scale of 
Depreciation about ^59^^^-) for 13 months and 2 days services, 
from the V^ January 1778 to the 2 february 1779) and 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastroic. 25 

which erroneous Items of Credit the Commissioner (Burrall) 
skiped entirely over and did not correct nor include the 
same in the statement which He or his Clerks made out for 
a settlement of my account. The erroneous item I allude to 
is the first item on the credit side of my own exhibited 
account which I sent to the Commissioner for a settlement. 
With due respect, Your very obedient 

Servant 

I. Franks. 
Please to direct to me at Lancaster. 

Copy of Doc'' Rush^ Recommendation. 

I have known Mr. Isaac Franks since the close of the 
revolutionary war in which he bore an active part as the 
Commander of a company. 

His pursuits since that time qualify him in an eminent 
degree for an Accomptant, and to do all the duties of a 
Public office in which a knowledge of figures, bookkeeping, 
industry, punctuallity and executive business of that kind 
are required. 

(Signed) Benj^ Rush. 

IV. 

(9) 
Statement of Military Career. 

A Narrative of the Revolutionary Services of Colonel 
Isaac Franks-r-who was Born in the City of New York on 
the 27th day of May, 1759. 

In the month of May or June 1776, the Subscriber 
Joined Col. Lesher^ Regiment (a six months Reg^) in the 
City of New York, as a Volunteer — The Regiment was 
annexed to the Army of the United States under the Com- 
mand of General George Washington, and the Subscriber 
was with the said Regiment in the Battle of Long Island 
and in the retreat with the army from Long Island to New 



26 American Jewish Historical Society. 

York City, and continued to do Duty with said Eegiment 
after they arrived in New York and was on a detached guard 
from said Regiment at the Fly Market on the East River 
when the Enemy entered and took possession of said city on 
the 15 Day of Sep'' 1776 and was taken Prisoner and suffered 
near three months confinement, when on an evening He 
made his escape, and in the night crossed the North River 
from the Bear Market at the foot of Division street in a 
small leaky skiff with one single paddle to the Jersey shore, 
— In the year 1777, He joined the Quarter Masters Depart- 
ment, at the Continental Village a few miles above Peeks- 
kill in the State of New York, as an assistant to the Forage 
Master Capt. Campbell. The Department was under the 
Direction of Col. Hugh Hughes D. Q. M. G', and in Janu- 
ary 1778, the Subscriber was appointed Forage Master of 
the Garrison of West Point, and its Dependences — In which 
station He continued to serve and act, until He was 
appointed a Commission officer in the line of the Continental 
Army which was some time in the year 1780, or on the first 
January 1781 when He Joined Captain Mills company in 
the 7th Massachusetts Regiment as an Ensign — The Regi- 
ment was then Stationed at West Point — And in October or 
November 1781 — He was detached on Command to join 
Captain Gooddale at Fort Verplanks Point, Situated on the 
North river opposite to Stoney Point, where He continued 
on Duty until february 1782, when He was relieved and 
again joined his Regiment at West Point — 

Some time after He received from Major jGi-eneral Alex- 
ander McDougal the Commander of West Point and its 
dependences, a Furlough (being the first furlough the Sub- 
scriber ever applied for during all his revolutionary cam- 
paign) — He then visited his friends, aud was in the City 
of Philadelphia when the news of peace arrived — He 
solemnly declares, that through the whole of his long and 
arduous Revolutionary services, He always acted with 
Honor and Strict fidelity — The Subscriber is a Native 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 27 

Born Citizen and never was absent from tlie United States, 
He never received a Pension — That now by reason of 
his reduced circumstances, He needs the assistance of his 
Country. 

Isaac Franks— Philadelphia, April 6'^ 1818. 

For further Evidence, If required — 

Eefer. 1^* The Congress & War office Eegister of Com- 
missions 

2^ The pay Masters Rolls of the 7*" U. S. Massachusetts 
Regiment, commanded by Col. John Brooks, Gen^ Patter- 
son's Brigade ; Stationed at West Point — 

3^ Gen' Washington's Register of Resignations — 

(10) 
Statement made before Joseph B. McKean. 

[Copy.] 

City & County of Philadelphia. 

On this Eight day of April in the year One thousand 
Eight hundred and Eighteen before me Joseph B. McKean, 
Judge of the District Court for the City & County of Phila- 
delphia in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, personally 
appeared Isaac Franks of the same City, who being duly 
sworn, deposes & says, that he served in the War of the 
Revolution, against the Common Enemy as an Ensign in 
the Army on the Continental establishment, above twelve 
months, without any intermission. 

That he entered the service in the month of May or June 
1776 and joined Col. Lesher's Regiment in the City of New 
York (his native City) as a Volunteer. That he was in the 
Battle of Long Island. And in the year 1777 He joined the 
Quarter Master's Department in the Continental Village, a 
few miles above Peekskill in the State of N. Y. as an assist- 
ant Forage Master to Capt. Campbell. The Department 
was under the direction of Col. Hugh Hughes D. Q. M. 
Genl. 



28 American Jewish Historical Society. 

In January 1778, the Deponent was appointed Forage 
Master and in the Spring of the same year (1778) was sta- 
tioned at West Point as Forage Master of the Garrison of 
West Point & its Dependancies and so continued for several 
years, until the Month of January in the Year 1781, when as 
an Ensign he joined the Seventh Massachusetts Regt., then 
stationed in the Garrison of West Point, in the Army of the 
United States and afterwards received his commission as an 
Ensign in said Regiment dated the 12^*^ March 1782 to take 
rank as such from the 1^* Jan. 1781 and continued in the 
service till about the month of June 1782, when the deponent 
resigned with the approbation of the Commander in chief, 
through the interference of Dr. Samuel Findly the Surgeon 
of said Regt. Being severely afflicted with the gravel, which 
still, occasionally, greatly distresses him That by reason of 
his reduced circumstances in life, he is in need of Assistance 
from his country for support, and that he never has rec'd 
or been allowed any pension by the laws of the U. S. That 
he is a native born, and yet a resident Citizen of the U. S. & 
now resident in the City of Phil'' in the Commonwealth of 
Penn^. 

I.F. 
Sworn & Subscribed 
Before 

J. B. McK. 

[Copy.] 

I Joseph B. McKean etc., as aforesaid, do Certify that it 
appears to my satisfaction that the said Isaac Franks did serve 
in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceeding declara- 
tion, against the Common Enemy ; and now transmit the 
preceeding declaration and testimony had and taken before 
me, to the Secretary of the department of war, pursuant to 
the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress. 

(Signed) Jos. B. McKean. 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 29 

The evidence in addition to the Claimant's Affidavit etc. 
transmitted is : 

1. His Commission as Ensign in the Seventh Massachu- 
setts Regiment in the army of the United States dated 12 
March 1782 to take rank as such from 1 Jan. 1781. 

2. Certificate of Clement Biddle Com. General of Forage 
dated the 19 March 1812. 

(Signed) J. B. McKeak. 

[Seal of the 
District Court 
of the City & County 
of Philadelphia.] 

(11) 
Letter to Jonathan Roberts. 

[Copy.] 

Philadelphia Dec. 15^^^ 1818 
The Honorab^^ 

Jonathan Roberts Esquire 

Member of the Senate of the U. S. 
Sir. 

I intended to have addressed myself to you, on the sub- 
ject of a Pension from the U. S. last spring, but my papers 
were only prepared by my friend Judge Joseph McKean, 
when Congress was about to adjourn, then I thought it was 
too late in the session to trouble you. 

I now beg leave to address you on the subject and to enclose 
my Declaration and Vouchers, for your examinations, and 
respectfully solicit the favor of you to take my claim for a 
pension under your Patronage & and be pleased to have the 
goodness to present my claim to the Secretary of War. 

My application for a Pension was made to Judge McKean 
(as he has certified) on the 8"" day of April last agreeable to 
law, and He is of opinion that the pension will commence 
from that date. 



30 American Jewish Historical Society. 

I beg leave to avail myself of this opportunity to tender to 
you my sincere thanks for your kind endeavors in my behalf 
in the year 1814, when my claim on the U. S. was pending 
before Congress, for arrearage of Pay for my Revolutionary 
services, which is yet unsettled and a balance due to me from 
the U. S. of upwards of sixteen hundred Dollars, which is 
said to be barred, unfortunately for me by an act of Limita- 
tions. I am sir, 

with great Respect & Esteem 
your obedient servant 

Isaac Franks. 
P. S. I am Sir a native born Citizen and a uniform 
Republican. When Sir, it may be convenient to you to favor 
me with a reply. Be pleased to direct. 

Col. Isaac Franks, 

Philadelphia. 

(12) 
A Second Letter to Jonathan Roberts. 

Philadelphia February 22^ 1819. 
The Honorable 

Jonathan Roberts, esquire 
Sir — 

Your esteemed favor of the 19**^ of December last, 
came duly to my hands, adviseing me of your having 
received the proofs of my revolutionary services, and that 
you had presented them to the Secretary of War, and you 
were pleased to observe, that when they were decided upon, 
you would advise me. Accept sir, my grateful thanks for 
your benevolent attention. 

Not having received any advice from the War office, and 
being anxious to enjoy that provision which the Laws of my 
Country have provided for me, I take the liberty, Sir, to 
address you again, in order to state some facts of my Revo- 
lutionary services, which I omitted in my letter to you on 
the subject of a Pension. 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 31 

In June, 1776, armed and equiped at my own expense, I 
joined the army in the City of New York, and in July 
following, in parade order attended the first communication 
of the Declaration of Independence, which was read to the 
Troops : when we all as with one voice. Declared that we 
would Support and Defend the same with our lives and 
fortunes. 

In August following, I marched with the Army under the 
immediate Command of General Washington, to Long Island, 
was in the heat of the Battle, and in the retreat to New York, 
and continued steadily and actively in the Army of the 
United States in the Service of my Country from the month 
of June 1776 until within a few months of the preliminarys 
of peace in the year 1782, when I was suddenly attacked with 
the gravel, which occasionally afflicts me to this day. — (See 
Rush^ letter.) 

The first part of my revolutionary services was as a Volun- 
teer in the year 1776. The second part, from the first of 
January 1777, to the 31'* December 1780, Four Years, was 
in the Quarter Master GeneraP Department, on the con- 
tinental establishment ; and was in continued active service. 
— My stations where as follows viz : on the lines of the 
Enemy in the neighborhood of New York, at the white plains: 
at the Continental Village, until the enemy took and burnt 
it ; and at the Garrison of West Point, and its dependences, 
(see Col. Clement Biddle', certificate of my services) and the 
last part of my revolutionary services from the first of 
January 1781. to about June 1782 (seventeen months) was 
as an officer in the Line of the Army of the United States 
on the continental establishment, (see my Commission from 
Congress.) And I do solemnly declare. That all my revo- 
lutionary services, were steady and active, and performed 
with Honor and fidelity and without intermission. If sir, I 
am not trespassing too much upon your time and it will be 
convenient — permit me once more, respectfully to solicit your 
patronage with the Secretary of War to enable me to receive 



32 American Jewish Historical Society. 

my certificate, before you leave Washington — My declaration 
was made before Judge McKean on the eight day of April 
1818 — I am Sir — with due Respect — your obedient Servant 

Isaac Franks. 

Y. 

(13) 

Copy of Bill presented to President George 
Washington. 

An account of Extraordinary Expences, occurred to Isaac 
Franks in order to Accomodate the President of the United 
States, with his house, furniture, Beds, etc. in Germantown 
in consequence of a note received from the President the 
sixth Nov. 1793 to that purport in a letter from Thos. 
Dungan of Germantown. 

1793, Nov. 6. Paid for the hire of a light two-horse waggon 
and driver for six days, at 2 dollars per day, for convey- 
ing myself & Mrs. Franks to Germantown, from Bethle- 
hem in order to put my house & furni- 
ture in a situation to accommodate the ^°^^- 

President 12 

Expences attending the Jurney 18 

For the hire of Beds, furniture, etc. to acom- 
modate my family during the time the 

president occupied mine 12 

Set out on the 19'^'' Dec. for Germantown 
from Bethlehem in order to ascertain from 
the President, how long he intended to 
keep my house, furniture, etc. that I 
might accommodate my family and gov- 
ern myself, accordingly expences attend- 
ing this jurney & back to my family 10 

Cash paid for Cleaning my house and put- 
ting it in the same condition the President 
rec'd it in 2.. 50 



Documents relating to Colonel Isaac Franks — Jastrow. 33 

For the damage done to a large double 
Japand waiter made use of in the service 

of the president 6 

To one flat Iron missing <£0..1..10J 

One large fork @ 2/6 2 ..6 

4 Platters @ 1/ 4 .. 

To 3 Ducks @ 2/6 7 ..6 

4 Fowls @ 1/9 7 .. 

1 Bushel Potatoes 4 .. 

One hundred of Hay 6 .. 

X1..12..101 4..40 

To 2 Months house rent @ 400 D^^ pr Year 66. .66 

Dols. 131..iVv 
(14) 

G. W. Hufnagle's Account of Colonel Franks' Resi- 
dence IN Germantown. 

This Dwelling and Residence of Colonel Isaac Franks, Situ- 
ated in Germantown, pa (phil'^) as follows — 

This Dwelling No. 4782* Main Street Germantown, phil'* 
pa. was built by David Desler, in 1774 & 75 — and at the time 
of the Battle of Germantown, it was taken possession of by 
Sir William Howe Commander in chief of the British Army, 
as His head Quarters, and here he received a visit from the 
future King William the 4'*^ then a Midshipman in the 
British Navy — In 1782 this property was sold by David 
Deshler [sic'\ to Colonel Isaac Franks, Aid de Camp to Gen- 
eral George Washington — During the Yellow fever of 1793, 
The Seat of Government was removed to Germantown pa, 
and General George Washington rented this Dwelling fur- 
nished from Colonel Isaac Franks and occupied it with His 
family. 

In 1804 it was purchased by Elliston and John Perot as a 

* Present number : 5442. 



34 



American Jewish Historical Society. 



summer residence — and on the death of Elliston Perot, in 
1834, it fell to his share (John) and became part of his estate. 

His son in law Samuel B. Morris, purchased it soon after, 
and resided there until his death in 1859, and leaving it by 
his will to his son Elliston Perot Morris — The present owner 
who resides in it — (August 1876) 8 month 1876. 

The Residence of General George Washington in 1793. 



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